POSTERIOR REGION. 453 



extending as far forward as the posterior mesenteric and sper- 

 matic arteries. This group receives the lymphatics of the pelvis, 

 the efferent branches from the deep inguinal, and iliac glands, 

 branches from the rectum, double colon, and spermatic cord. 

 The numerous different branches of the sublumbar glands, after 

 forming one or more trunks, terminate in the receptaculum chyli. 



The deep inguinal glands are formed by a considerable num- 

 ber of lobes lodged under the crural aponeurosis and arch, in the 

 interstices between the adductor muscles of the thigh, along with, 

 and to the inner aspect of, the crural vessels. The group is 

 elongated, and superficial exteriorly, reaching almost to the 

 anterior pubic border. The colour of the lobes varies from grey 

 to brown, or almost black. The afferent vessels are formed by 

 the superficial lymphatics, which accompany the internal saphenic 

 vein, and by satellites of the deep blood-vessels. The efferent 

 branches of this group pass into the sublumbar glands, entering 

 the abdomen in company with the external iliac vessels. 



The superficial inguinal glands are placed in front of the 

 inguinal ring, at the side of the sheath. They are oblong, and 

 consist of ten or twelve lobes. The afferent vessels are numerous, 

 and receive the lymph from the internal partof thethigh,the sheath, 

 scrotum, and inferior abdominal walls. The efferents, larger, but 

 less numerous, pass up the inguinal canal in company Avith the 

 external pudic artery, and terminate in the deep inguinal glands. 



The small popliteal glands consist of from three to five lobes, 

 situated just behind the great sciatic nerve and gastrocnemius 

 muscle, and between the adductor magnus and biceps rotator 

 tibialis, near the femoro-popliteal artery. They receive the lymph- 

 atics from the posterior part of the haunch and from the neigh- 

 bourhood of the hock. The efferents join the deep inguinal 

 glands, passing through the muscular interstices of the thigh. 



The iliac glands consist of five or six lobes, which form a soft 

 yellow group, situated in the triangular space between the two 

 branches of the circumflex ilii artery. They receive the efferents 

 from the precrural glands, and numerous deep lymphatics from 

 the abdominal walls. The five or six efferent vessels follow the 

 circumflex artery, and terminate in the sublumbar glands. 



The precrural glands rest on the inner side of the anterior 

 border of the tensor fascige latas, upon the circumflex artery, and 

 constitute a small elongated mass, composed of about twelve 

 lobes. It receives the lymphatics from the interior and internal 



